Registrar

UP Professional and Support

UNIVERSITY OF PRETORIA

REGISTRAR

PEROMNES LEVEL 2

The University wishes to appoint a Registrar, who should be a visionary, strategic and dynamic leader who will be both the gatekeeper of institutional good governance and University Counsel. The incumbent will be a strategically driven legal expert with a firm grasp of the Higher Education sector and its challenges, committed to the highest level of integrity.

The University of Pretoria is one of South Africa’s top research-intensive universities, dedicated to producing high-quality, impactful research that addresses complex contemporary issues. It is one of the most significant producers of research and makes a major contribution to postgraduate and postdoctoral fellowship training, as well as nurturing and supporting researchers at different stages of their research careers. It is home to the largest number of National Research Foundation (NRF)-rated researchers. The University has developed the infrastructure and a number of research platforms, including the Future Africa Institute and Campus, which support multi-, inter- and transdisciplinary research across the institution. The University is continuously expanding its research partnerships and collaborations across the globe.

The University’s nine faculties and business school offer a wide spectrum of under- and postgraduate programmes that are recognised internationally. It offers quality education to a cohort of approximately 55 000 students from across the diversity of the South African population and awards approximately 14% of all degrees conferred annually by public universities in South Africa.

The University of Pretoria is committed to equality, employment equity and diversity.

In accordance with the Employment Equity Plan of the University and its Employment Equity goals and targets, preference may be given, but it is not limited to, candidates from under-represented designated groups. In pursuit of the ideals of excellence and diversity, the University of Pretoria wishes to invite applications for the following vacancy.

The Registrar is appointed by Council and is accountable to both Council and the Vice-Chancellor and Principal to carry out such duties as delegated to them by Council and the Vice-Chancellor and Principal. The Registrar will be a member of the University’s Executive team, who reports directly to the Vice-Chancellor and Principal to assist him in his role of leading and managing the University.

It is the prerogative of the Vice-Chancellor and Principal to determine the portfolios of the members of the Executive. The University reserves the right to change the portfolio responsibilities of the Registrar from time to time, in line with new strategic priorities and operational requirements. The incumbent must thus be adaptable, willing, quick to learn, comfortable with taking control, making decisions and accepting accountability.

Requirements

• Governance and compliance
• Corporate legal services (including acting as University Counsel) and Legal services, student discipline, institutional trademarks and contracts;
• Secretariat (including statutory responsibility as Secretary of Council, Senate and the Institutional Forum);
• Internal Audit, compliance, institutional risk management, and the anti-fraud and whistle-blowing function;
• Information governance, policy and procedure;
• Department of Enrolment and Student Administration which includes all student administrative services from recruitment to graduation;
• Department of Institutional Advancement (Including alumni relations, fundraising and communications and marketing).
• UP Museums and the Javett-UP Art Centre; and
• UP Archives
  
  

Responsibilities

The Registrar has varied responsibilities which incorporate but are not limited to institutional governance and compliance with an increasingly diverse legislative and regulatory framework. The Registrar’s main responsibilities amongst others will be:

Strategic Management and Leadership

• The Registrar serves as a member of the Executive Management team, supporting the Vice-Chancellor, Council and Senate to lead, govern and manage the University’s strategic plan and enhance the University’s commitment to excellence, relevance, diversity, transformation and sustainability.
• The Registrar works closely with colleagues across the executive portfolios and the institution to facilitate and support the achievement of the University’s strategic goals.
• Provides leadership of the University’s structures of governance.
• Formulates, amongst others, the University’s governance and academic administration goals for approval by the Vice-Chancellor and Principal.
• Assumes responsibility for the successful execution and implementation of specified strategic initiatives to achieve the University goals and objectives and interventions to address challenges in the portfolio.
• Provides leadership and advice to the University’s governing bodies, committees and leadership teams.
• Provides leadership and advice on all aspects of information governance, including but not limited to privacy protection.
  
  

Academic Administration

• The Registrar provides strategic oversight and leadership to the Department of Enrolment and Student Administration in respect of the student life-cycle from recruitment to admission and enrolment, registration, student system support, planning and management of academic administration to examinations and graduations.
• Provides leadership and accountability in relation to the integrity of examinations, academic records and all forms of certification of academic achievement of current and past students.
• Provides leadership in the management and planning of all activities related to the student life cycle at the University.
  
  

Leadership of Legal Services

• The Registrar is responsible for ensuring that the University’s compliance with its regulatory environment which is ever changing and as such, must keep abreast of regulatory changes in the environment and provide advice on draft legislation and policies to ensure continued legal compliance.
• The Registrar must review the University Statute and rules regularly and recommend and draft amendments, lead the consultation processes internally and externally where amendments are proposed, and manage the engagement with the relevant government institutions to bring about the necessary changes.
• Oversee the instituting of legal processes and defence of the University in a court of law as delegated by the Vice-Chancellor or Council in order to ensure that the University’s interests are protected at all times.
• Provide oversight and leadership of the legal services provided by the Department of Legal Services and other legal services providers that are appointed by the University.
• Provide oversight, advice and input on the drafting, review, renewal, amendment and/or termination of university contracts as delegated by the Vice-Chancellor and Council.
• Implement best practices related to student discipline and ensure efficient, accurate and fair implementation and administration of student disciplinary processes.
  
  

Secretariat

• The Registrar offers strategic leadership to the Secretariat and, in addition to acting as Secretary to Council and Senate, works closely with the Head of Secretariat to ensure effective, efficient, accurate and timeous administration of meeting management, minute taking and distribution and record keeping for all Council and Council Committees, Senate and Senate Committees and Executive Committee and Executive Committees.
• Ensures timeous distribution of agenda packs and supporting documentation, confidentiality of processes and records of all declarations of members of committees.
• Ensures clear communication with members of Committees in relation to meetings and resolutions and timeous appointment processes to fill vacancies as they arise.
• Ensures timeous reporting to regulatory authorities.
  
  

Internal Audit, compliance, institutional risk management, and the anti-fraud and whistle-blowing

• Although the Department of Internal Audit and Compliance Services reports to the Audit Committee of Council, the Registrar is the functional line manager responsible for oversight of the Department.
• The Registrar is responsible for the compliance planning and implementation and for the oversight over the development of the annual Institutional Risk Register and the risk treatment plans, the Institutional Business Continuity Plan and the anti-fraud and whistleblowing function which is managed with support from the Department of Internal Audit and Compliance Services staff.
• The Registrar is responsible for ethical oversight and institutional integrity.
  
  

Information governance, policy and procedure

• The Registrar offers strategic leadership and oversight to all aspects of information Governance and in that role, serves as Deputy Information Officer and line manager for the Information Governance division of the University.
• Policy development and review are at the heart of the Registrar’s role. Policies must be up to date, relevant and implementable.
• The Registrar also oversees compliance with the Protection of Personal Information Act (POPIA) and the Public Access to information Act(PAIA). To this end, the Registrar is a Deputy Information Officer.
• Information governance responsibilities are not limited only to the two aspects listed above and the Registrar is involved in the strategic protection of all information assets of the University.
  
  

Department of Institutional Advancement

• The Registrar exercises strategic leadership and oversight over the Department and the three divisions within the Department, viz. alumni relations, fundraising and communications and marketing.
• The Registrar serves on the Convocation advisory Board and related structures and acts as Secretary to the Convocation.
• Ensures institutional rules for alumni structures are in place and up to date.
• The Registrar works closely with the Director to maintain stakeholder relations, especially when the University is confronted with challenges of any sort.
• The Registrar is a member of both the Institutional Forum and the Institutional Transformation Committee.
  
  

UP Museums and the Javett-UP Art Centre

• The Registrar is Chair of the Heritage Committee and the Museum’s Committee and gives strategic oversight and leadership to the UP Museums.
• The Registrar is also a trustee of the Art Centre Foundation, Chair of the Executive Committee and a member of the Finance Committee and the Nominations and Governance Committee of the Javett UP, which is a transdisciplinary partnership with the Javett Foundation.
  
  

UP Archives

• The UP Archives are a University repository that safekeeps the institution’s history.
• The Registrar’s oversight of this function is a natural extension of the role of the Registrar to ensure ongoing, accurate and complete record keeping and responsibility for heritage collections across the University.
• UP Archives is safeguarded as a research resource for staff, students and the broader public and the Registrar champions the requirements of the archives to ensure their contribution remains appropriately valued.
  
  

Stakeholder Relations, Management

• Provide leadership in the creation of a student-centred culture.
• Ensure the senior management team constantly informed of strategic developments and trends in student and academic administrative related matters and general issues related to governance.
• Establish and maintain communication channels with the Department of Higher Education and Training, Department of Science, Technology and Innovation, Council on Higher Education, Universities South Africa, the Gauteng and national Departments of Education, staff, parents, students, alumni and other stakeholders.
  
  

Human Resources Management

• Provide leadership to direct reports and ensure that their teams are capable of executing the University’s goals and objectives.
• Provide mentorship and nurture professional growth and autonomy for direct reports.
• Adhere to Employment Equity principles and processes in making new appointments.
  
  

Financial Management

• Effectively manage the allocated budget for the portfolio.
• Adhere to all applicable policies and procedures in the application of budgeted funds.
• Adhere to the financial sustainability goals of the University in making disbursements.
  
  

Minimum Requirements For Appointment

• An LLB or equivalent;
• A Master's degree in a relevant field;
• Admission as an Advocate or Attorney;
• A minimum of seven (7) years’ proven experience at a tertiary institution of which five (5) years should have been in a senior management or an executive role in legal and governance affairs of a complex higher education institution.
• Proven legal skills complemented by extensive experience in the South African higher education sector, complemented with a clear understanding and knowledge of policy development, the Higher Education legislative and regulatory framework and contemporary sectoral challenges.
• Proven experience in a senior management/leadership role in an academic and/or professional support services environment in an academic or aligned institution.
• Proven strategic leadership skills coupled with excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Demonstrable computer and information literacy skills.
• Proven ability in liaising with and establishing, managing and maintaining internal and external stakeholder relations.
  
  

ADDED ADVANTAGES AND PREFERENCES

• A doctorate in a relevant field;
• Proven experience in:
• Compliance;
• Internal audit and risk management;
• Policy drafting and development;
• Proven leadership experience within a leading higher education institution; and
• Proven experience in working with academic structures such as faculties and schools in a university environment.
  

Required Competencies (skills, Knowledge And Behavioural Attributes)

• Excellent knowledge of and the ability to implement legal and administrative policies and procedures in the University.
• In-depth knowledge and understanding of applicable legislation and policies.
• Excellent knowledge and understanding of universities operations, needs, challenges and priorities.
• Excellent knowledge of the universities’ academic business and the related institutional administrative and operational systems.
• Advanced knowledge of the Higher Education Management Information System (HEMIS) reporting requirements
• Excellent planning, organizational, communication and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to establish and maintain high levels of interpersonal relationships
• Excellent stakeholder engagement and relationship management skills
• Excellent financial and human resources management skills
• Ability to foster and manage partnerships and relationships with different stakeholders
• Excellent written and oral communication skills.
• Proven track record of facilitating transformation initiatives at various institutional levels.
• In-depth knowledge and understanding of the higher education system in South Africa as well as legislation governing the higher education sector.
• Advanced knowledge of the Higher Education Act, landscape, policy and regulatory aspects;
  
  

Please Note

All shortlisted candidates will be required to participate in relevant skills and psychometric assessments as part of the selection process.

All shortlisted candidates may be required to do a presentation as part of the selection process.

The annual remuneration package will be commensurate with the incumbent’s level of appointment, as determined by UP policy guidelines. UP subscribes to the BESTMED and UMVUZO medical aid schemes and contributes 50% of the applicable monthly premium.

The Registrar is appointed for a term of five (5) years, which may be renewed subject to performance.

The Regulations and Procedures for the Appointment of the Chief Operating Officer, Registrar and Executive Directors, are available on www.up.ac.za at Careers@UP (link: Appointment Regulations for the Executives and Deans) or may be requested from the Director: Human Resources on (012) 420 2375.

APPLICATION PROCESS

All applications must be submitted electronically through the Careers@UP link on the University website.

Applications must be accompanied by the following supporting documents that must be attached electronically to the application:

• A full curriculum vitae;
• An abbreviated curriculum vitae;
• Certified copies of qualifications and identity document;
• A self-evaluation by the applicant of their suitability for appointment to the position;
• The applicant’s vision for the portfolio; and
• The names and contact details of at least three (3) contactable referees who can attest to the candidate’s professional stature and leadership qualities.
  
  

CLOSING DATE: 31 March 2025 at 16h00.

No application will be considered after the closing date, or if it does not comply with at least the minimum requirements.

Applicants should note that the University reserves the right to appoint and consult its own referees. Candidates must confirm in writing, that they accept the applicable appointment Regulations and Procedures. Please note that the University may decide to extend the closing date and to undertake further recruitment initiatives.

ENQUIRIES (regarding the application process): Jeovitah Chimhamhiwa, Tel: 012 420 6149, email: jeovitah.chimhamhiwa@up.ac.za .

ENQUIRIES (regarding the role): Mr N Wagner Tel: 012 420 3482, email: nicolaas.wagner@up.ac.za .

Should you not hear from the University of Pretoria by 30 September 2025, please accept that your application has been unsuccessful.

By applying for this vacancy, the candidates consent to undergo verification of personal credentials and related information including, but not limited to, qualifications, criminal record, credit record, current and historic disciplinary proceedings, as part of the selection process.

The University of Pretoria reserves the right to not fill the advertised position.